Anna Sironini Topics Covered
From January 2025, the Italian retirees receive a increase of minimum pension of just 1,8 per month, moving from the current 614,77 € a 616,57 €. An increase that is barely enough for a coffee, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of millions of pensioners and fueling political controversy.
The measure derives from the decree published in the Official Journal November 24, which applies theadjustment atinflation calculated by theIstat for 2023. This year, the FOI index (excluding tobacco) stopped at 0,8%, a percentage lower than the 1% initially forecast, which would have allowed for a slightly more significant increase, around 3 euros.
“With 1,8 euros you can't even do the shopping, and the government continues to humiliate our pensioners,” he comments bitterly Ivan Pedretti, general secretary of Spi-Cgil.
Meloni Government, effort to adapt but useless
Il Meloni government, to prevent the minimum pensions fell below 600 euros, he included in the maneuver an additional 2,2%, bringing the overall revaluation rate at 3%. Without this intervention, minimum pensions would have actually decreased, reaching 598 €, a risk defined as "unacceptable" by the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti.
However, despite this effort, the adjustment remains largely insufficient. "We cannot speak of a real improvement for pensioners. This increase is only a palliative," he said. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Forza Italy, which continues to push for the achievement of the ambitious goal of 1.000 € for the minimum pensions, dear to Silvio Berlusconi.
Medium and high pension benefits penalized
Things are no better for those who receive pensions above the minimum. Returning to the "staggered" indexation system introduced by the Prodi government and confirmed by the Draghi executive, the increase will be calculated on different bands:
- Checks up to 2.400 euros gross per month they will receive the 100% of inflation, or 0,8%.
- the back part 2.400 and 3.000 euro will be revalued at 90% of inflation, equal to 0,72%.
- The amounts above the 3.000 € will recover the 75% of inflation, equivalent to 0,6%.
To give some examples, a board gross from 1.000 € per month will increase by only 8 €, while a check from 2.500 € will get a raise of 20 €. Even those who perceive 4.000 € gross per month will see a limited increase of 30 €.
This mini increase comes after two years of heavy cuts to medium-high pensions. Between 2023 and 2024, the government has accumulated 37 billion net savings reducing pension amounts. Even if these cuts are not renewed in 2025, the affected retirees will find themselves with reduced benefits forever.
“It's a joke: with real inflation eroding purchasing power, the elderly are the most penalized,” he denounces Loredana De Petris of the Greens and Left Alliance. Confesercenti he estimated that the paltry increase will not even begin to offset the increase in the cost of living, which this year has weighed especially on food products and primary consumption.
Budget 2025, towards a revision?
The political game is far from over. With the opening of the parliamentary debate on maneuver next December 9th, a glimmer of hope could open up for further increase minimum pensions. However, the internal conflict within the majority, especially between Forza Italia and Lega, on the possible cutting of the Rai license fee, risks shifting attention to other fronts.
“We will work to ensure that the increase is more dignified, at least 10 euros per month,” he promised. Tajani, but the resources for such an intervention are still uncertain.
